IF THERE was an unsung hero award on offer in this season’s Six Nations Championship then Wales lock Ian Evans would undoubtedly be among the nominations.

Wales’ charge towards the Six Nations title and Grand Slam has seen individuals like Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies and Mike Phillips rightly receive rave reviews.

But 6ft 8in Evans deserves to be mentioned in the same breath after proving himself as a towering model of consistency during victories over Ireland, Scotland and England.

When Wales returned from their acclaimed World Cup adventure in New Zealand last autumn, Evans was fourth-choice lock – at best – behind Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies.

Now, though, he is arguably among the first names on coach Warren Gatland’s team-sheet, which is a far cry from Ospreys forward Evans’ darkest days during an injury-troubled career.

The Johannesburg-born forward has won 20 caps, yet he made his Test debut in 2006 and only seven of those appearances have come on the Six Nations stage.

Evans had three years away from the Test arena between 2008 and 2011 as he battled to overcome injury setbacks, returning against Australia last December after a combination of knee, ankle and chest injuries laid him low.

“This is massive for me after those three years out of international rugby,” he said. “It was always a goal to wear the Wales jersey again and I am chuffed to have achieved it.

“I have been given a chance in the Six Nations and once you’ve got that responsibility you have to try to keep it for as long as you can.

“There were some massive low points. You start at the bottom of the ladder again and have to work yourself back up.

“It has been a slow process, but I’ve had great support from the Ospreys, my friends and family, and it has all been worthwhile.

“I never questioned my future. If I was that unhappy being injured, the answer was getting back on the pitch.

“Playing is what puts a smile on my face. I started back with the Ospreys, started to get some momentum, and from there – and with a bit of luck – everything falls into place.

“I am pleased with my form. I’m the kind of guy that needs to play week in, week out, and there is massive competition.

“I have the responsibility of representing all the great players that have worn the jersey previously. I played in all but one of the (Six Nations) games in 2008.

“They were mixed emotions. I was part of it and there are happy memories, but this time I am more of a part of it and hopefully we can achieve that final goal that everyone is talking about.”

With the Triple Crown already secured, the key for Wales now is not to take a collective eye off the ball before title rivals France arrive in Cardiff in nine days.

First they must face Italy on Saturday afternoon, but 27-year-old Evans has no concern about the team getting ahead of themselves, even though they have already triumphed in Dublin and at Twickenham this season.

“The most important thing was to go out to Ireland to get a win and make a statement,” he added. “Once you get your first win, there is a massive snowball effect.

“We have come through some big games, and there is no respite. Our focus is Italy, and whenever you play against them they have a physical pack and they will be taking it to us up-front.

“They have top-quality players and rely on them to get them going forward. We need to stop their key players from doing that.”